February 2023
PEU Specialist Shaquanna at a Rent Freeze event helping older adults enroll in NYC housing benefits
About the Public Engagement Unit (PEU)
The NYC Public Engagement Unit (PEU) uses community organizing principles to re-envision how the city provides services to its most vulnerable communities. Rather than expecting constituents to navigate a complex city bureaucracy to get the help they need, PEU adopts grassroots tactics to meet residents where they are — at their doors and on their phones, in their social media feeds, and in their communities. PEU combines this proactive outreach with comprehensive case management, and in doing so, builds long-term relationships between New Yorkers and their government.
New Digital Resources to Support NYC Outreach
We’re proud and grateful to partner with many of you to support New Yorkers and connect them to the benefits they deserve. So, we’re excited to announce a new collection of digital resources, toolkits, and flyers available for your use! This content helps New Yorkers find housing benefits, health insurance, and more.
We hope that you can share this with your teams to help us support New York City residents. We have posting text, translations, and graphics in many sizes. See a sneak peek below and find all resources on our website at nyc.gov/PEURESOURCES.
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TEAM WINS
Homeowner Tax Exemption and Rent Freeze Application Assistance for Older New Yorkers
PEU’s Rent Freeze team has been tabling across NYC to help eligible New Yorkers stop their rent from going up and get tax breaks on their homes. The Rent Freeze and Homeowner Tax Exemption programs protect communities from displacement and help older New Yorkers and New Yorkers with disabilities live safely and securely in their homes. We’re ramping up our efforts to help people sign up for tax exemptions in advance of the March 15th deadline. At these office hours and tabling events, and through our Rent Freeze hotline, New Yorkers can check their eligibility and receive free one-on-one support enrolling in Rent Freeze or Homeowner Tax Exemption. Learn about these programs here or connect with a Specialist by calling our Rent Freeze Hotline at 929-252-7242.
GetCoveredNYC Outreach
GetCoveredNYC has continued to connect New Yorkers to health coverage and health information during the New Year. We’ve partnered with our colleagues at the Office of Citywide Health Insurance Access and Queens Public Library on a series of Health Insurance 101 Workshops, presented during NYC Health + Hospitals’ Health Care Access digital info sessions, and continued our routine tabling efforts at libraries, community centers, and HRA offices in every borough. And we just launched our weekly social media roundup of GetCoveredNYC events, helping people find free health care support in-person. We just posted this week’s round-up, check it out here and give it a share!
GetCoveredNYC provides free assistance for New Yorkers seeking to enroll in health coverage, regardless of immigration status or income. Our Specialists speak over a dozen languages and conduct outreach to proactively identify uninsured New Yorkers and help them get access to health care and other health-related benefits. Learn more about GetCoveredNYC here or connect with a Specialist by calling 311 and say "GetCoveredNYC" to connect with a Specialist.
Home Support Unit (HSU) Texting Campaign
PEU’s Home Support Unit is conducting ongoing texting outreach to build partnerships with NYC landlords. In doing so, we’re identifying new available units for New Yorkers with vouchers who are looking for housing. The team continues to follow up with landlords and we’re excited to continue refining our outreach in order to best reach landlords with available units in target ZIP codes.
The Home Support Unit (HSU) conducts outreach to rental owners and brokers in order to identify vacant homes for voucher holders living in shelters. HSU supports owners and brokers throughout the lease-up process, improving their experience with rental subsidies so that they continue to provide units to voucher recipients in the future. Learn more about leasing your apartment to voucher holders at nyc.gov/hsu.
PEU at Mayor Eric Adams’ Second State of the City Address
On Thursday, January 26th, Mayor Eric Adams delivered the second State of the City address. Mayor Adams outlined priorities for the coming year, including protecting housing rights and expanding health access. These issues ground our work at PEU, so we left the event feeling invigorated for the year to come. Learn more about it here.
Celebrating Black History Month
This month, we're celebrating the many people and organizations that have contributed and continue to contribute to creating a New York that is healthier, more just, and more equitable.
We also invite you to watch Mayor Adams' video celebrating Black History Month here!"
Happy Lunar New Year!
Welcome to the Year of the Rabbit! We wish those who celebrate health, abundance, and longevity. Happy Lunar New Year!
Martin Luther King’s Housing Justice Legacy
On this year’s Martin Luther King Jr. Day, PEU remembered the legacy set forth by Dr. King and honored his impact on equitable and fair housing. Take some time to learn more about Dr. King’s housing justice legacy in our Twitter post.
Help inform the Citywide Partners in Preservation Program
The New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development is looking for community feedback on the Citywide Partners in Preservation Program.
Follow these instructions to make your voice heard by 2/13 to inform the City's tenant organizing program!
SPECIALIST SPOTLIGHT
GetCoveredNYC Specialist El Mansour’s uninsured visit to the emergency room put him on a path toward helping others get health insurance. This month, he published an op-ed to urge New Yorkers to get the health coverage they deserve, and guide them on how to do so. He shares his story in the op-ed, writing, “This program is exactly the type of service that would have helped me get insurance when I needed it. Now, I want to share this knowledge because of one simple fact: All New Yorkers deserve quality and affordable health coverage.” There are many GCNYC Specialists like El Mansour, ready to help you get covered! Read his story here.
TWEET OF THE MONTH
Share this tweet here
In the News
Chelsea Community News: How to Get Affordable Health Insurance Coverage January 12, 2022
RESOURCES & ANNOUNCEMENTS
PEU is hiring for the following roles:
- Outreach Specialist (Job ID: 550242)
- CBO Manager (Job ID: 551532)
- Policy & Research Analyst (Job ID: 564082)
If you are interested in any of these positions, please do the following:
- Fill out this interest form. We will follow up with qualified candidates to schedule a call. Please note, you will need to apply for the official posting below to be considered.
- Apply online. Go to nyc.gov/jobs, click on "Login/Create an Account", and enter the respective Job ID (listed above) associated with the position in the Job ID field.
- The New York State Emergency Rental Assistance Program is no longer accepting applicants. Applications submitted before the application portal closed on January 20, 2023 will continue to be processed in the order received, consistent with State law and program rules. If you have questions about rent control or rental increases, landlord harassment, or eviction, you can contact PEU’s Tenant Support Unit by calling 311 and asking for our “Tenant Helpline.”
- This year, if you need assistance paying for your heating or electricity bills, there are programs that may be able to help. Learn about available support from the NY State assistance program, National Grid, and Con Edison. Plus, share this graphic about winter bills to get the word out!
- Mental health counselors are available 24 hours a day to provide free support in many languages. You can contact them directly by calling 1-888-NYC-WELL (1-888-692-9355), Text WELL to 65173 or Chat nyc.gov/nycwell
- NYC Fair Fares: Eligible New York City residents can get a 50% discount on eligible transportation. Help us to spread the word by sharing this HRA toolkit and check your eligibility at nyc.gov/fairfares or by calling 311.
- The Affordable Connectivity Program is available to help you pay for broadband internet service! Qualifying New Yorkers(including all public school families) can receive up to $30 per month off their internet bill. You can learn more about and sign up for the Affordable Connectivity Program here: GetInternet.gov.
- There are more than 30 programs you or your family may be eligible for regardless of immigration status and even if you’re already receiving benefits or have a job. Use ACCESS NYC to find help in NYC with food, money, housing, work and more.
- Walk-ins available for first and second doses of the monkeypox (MPV) vaccine, COVID vaccines and flu shots:
- No appointment needed
- Find a walk-in location: nyc.gov/vaccinefinder
- Listen tothe new "Get Stuff Done-Cast,"the Mayor's podcast covering all the good work we've accomplished.
Follow us on social media and learn about our programs and outreach on our website: nyc.gov/MayorsPEU
Connect with PEU:
- Twitter: @MayorsPEU
- Instagram: @mayorspeu
- Facebook: @NYC Mayor's Public Engagement Unit
- LinkedIn: /mayorspeu
- Website: nyc.gov/MayorsPEU
- Newsletter: Sign-up and read past issues
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